What To Do To Extend The Life Of Your Appliances – Preventive Maintenance

Fix Appliance BCCA

24 December 2023

Home Appliances Maintenance

Like a regular health check-up, a maintenance schedule is important for every house’s upkeep. That includes your home exterior, appliances, heating and cooling, plumbing, security, and electrical systems, which will help prevent breakdowns, save money, and keep your home looking its best. Regular checks can identify issues early, preventing potential problems.

If any recommended repairs and maintenance go beyond your skill level or lead to more complicated projects, consider hiring a professional to help.

Inspecting your home appliance and making a list of necessary work will keep your maintenance schedule on track and easier to manage.

WARNING: Before you start any maintenance task, always remember to turn off the unit and unplug it from the power source. This simple step is essential to prevent any electrical accidents and ensure a secure environment while cleaning or inspecting your electric appliances.

Refrigerator

Depending on where is your refrigerator’s condenser is located (on the back or underneath), get access to it and vacuum condenser coils and around, empty and clean drip trays, inspect and clean drip tubes.

Change water filter every 6 month or as recommended by the manufacturer.

Inspect the Ice Maker, make sure that ice cubes do not clog it. Use it regularly to prevent over-freezing or turn it off if you are not going to use that.

Clean inside of Freezing compartment, make sure there is no ice buildup.

Do not over-fill Fresh Food compartment – cool air supposed to flow around each section and shelves.

Freezer

Clean the condenser coils, check the door seals, clean inside the freezer, remove ice buildup, get it dry before you start using it again, and set the correct temperature. It also helps to ventilate the freezer, keep its door closed, and pack it full.

Washing Machine

When it is just installed, make sure that shipping bolts are removed!

Make sure is well leveled from front to back and from left to right

Find out from the manual how often it’s filter recommended to be cleaned, how to get access to it and follow the recommendations. Do it more often if you have furry pets at home.

Keep washer’s door open when not in use, that will reduce the residue or grime and odor.

Use time to time specially formulated washing machine cleaners like Affresh, TrueFresh or similar to eliminates residue and odor.

Dryer

Clean the filter before or after each use. Make sure that the dryer is not pushed to close to the wall and the vent duct is not kinked or jammed.

Check that outdoor air vents (wall or roof mount) are not blocked with lint.

At least once a year vacuum lint from the dryer vent. Make sure that both ends of the vent duct still attached and there are no holes in it.

Garbage Disposal / Garburator / Food Waste Disposer

Clean it by grinding ice cubes, then flushing with hot water and baking soda.

Fireplace (Gas and Electric)

First, it’s recommended that you have a licensed service provider inspect your gas fireplace at least once per year. The technician can thoroughly clean gas fireplace, check for gas leaks, ensure the fireplace is venting properly, and identify potential safety issues.

Between annual inspections, you can also conduct some gas fireplace cleaning yourself. If you use your gas fireplace frequently, dirt, dust, and other residue can build up over time, resulting in musty odors or glass doors that appear milky or foggy.

Electric Fireplace. Maintaining the interior components is vital for the efficient operation of your electric fireplace. Begin by check and clean the heating elements. Dust and debris can accumulate over time, diminishing their effectiveness. Additionally, inspect the wiring for any signs of wear, as damaged wiring can be a safety hazard and disrupt your unit’s performance. Check and replace any burnt-out light bulbs or LEDs

Ensure that vents and fans remain clean and unobstructed. Ventilation and airflow is a crucial part of electric fireplace maintenance. Adequate airflow is essential for maintaining the unit’s efficiency, preventing overheating, and ensuring your space is consistently warm. Maintaining proper ventilation not only keeps your electric fireplace running optimally but also contributes to a safer environment. By allowing air to circulate freely, you minimize the risk of overheating and potential damage.

Dishwasher

Clean Filter – If your dishwasher has a filter, remove it and clean off any food or grime. Food can become trapped in the filter and impair washing.

Clean the Door and Seals – Dishwashers have seals around the door rim to prevent the machine from leaking while running. Wipe down the rubber seals and the door with a damp cloth to prevent soil and grime from building up. A drop of dishwashing liquid will do the trick.

Clean the Spray Arm – Wipe down the spray arm with a damp towel. We recommend removing the spray arm to clear any blockages with a toothpick every six months. Refer to your owner’s manual for detailed instructions on how to remove and clean your spray arm.

Make it Monthly- Cleaning your dishwasher once a month helps prevent a build of germs and maintains your machine’s efficiency.

Keep it Running – Running your dishwasher at least once a week keeps the motor seals working properly.

Check for water leaks – at the front and bottom, where the drain hose is attached to the garburator or drain pipe.

Use time to time specially formulated dishwasher cleaners like Affresh, TrueFresh or similar to eliminates residue and odor.

Range, Oven, Stove, Wall oven

Clean burners, grates, and caps. Check heating elements for damage. Test heating elements for even heat distribution. Calibrate oven temperature settings. Remove and clean oven racks separately. Replace oven light bulbs as needed. Avoid using harsh chemicals on oven surfaces. Do not obstruct and clean regularly cooling air openings right below the Control/Display.

Good ventilation and cooling down airflow is a crucial for electronics of stoves and ranges.

Over The Range Microwaves and Range Hoods

Clean exhaust fan filter. Remove Stains and Odors.

Vinegar and Baking Soda: One of the most effective ways to remove stains and odors from the interior of the microwave is by using a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. First, mix a cup of water with a tablespoon of vinegar and place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the mixture for 5 minutes, or until it boils. Then, let the bowl sit in the microwave for a few minutes to allow the steam to dissipate. Next, dampen a cloth with the vinegar mixture and wipe down the interior of the microwave. For stubborn stains, make a paste with baking soda and water and apply it to the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it away with a damp cloth.

Lemon Juice: Lemon juice is another effective way to remove stains and odors from the interior of the microwave. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a microwave-safe bowl. Add enough water to cover the bottom of the bowl. Microwave the bowl for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the mixture boils. Then, let the bowl sit in the microwave for a few minutes to allow the steam to dissipate. Finally, use a damp cloth to wipe down the interior of the microwave.

Dish Soap: Dish soap is a simple but effective solution for removing stains from the interior of the microwave. Mix a few drops of dish soap with a cup of warm water and use a cloth to wipe down the interior of the microwave. Rinse the cloth with clean water and wipe away any remaining soap or residue.

Do you need to have a professional come for home appliances maintenance?

While most of the mentioned tasks can be done by a homeowner if they have time and fit enough, some works need a professional to be done correctly. For example, cleaning hidden in the wall and going up to the roof dryer vent most of the time requires a professional; sometimes, a technician is necessary to properly clean the dishwasher’s drain system. Hiring a pro for maintenance work could save you money on repairs.